As the autumn racing season gathers pace, crews now turn their attention to the Upper Thames Autumn Head, an early test of speed on the iconic Henley stretch. Covering three kilometres on one of the sport’s most historic courses, the event offers competitors a chance to lay down a marker and set the tone for the rest of the head racing season. With many competitive clubs in the mix, this weekend promises to showcase some exciting racing.
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club fields a range of strong entries this weekend. As one of Britain’s most competitive and well-established clubs, they’ll be among the favourites in every event. The club reached the final of the Wargrave Challenge Cup in 2024 and followed up with a semi-final appearance this year. With a women’s squad that has grown rapidly in depth and strength, and given their past performances, London looks particularly strong in the women’s sweep events.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
Upper Thames Rowing Club return to their home stretch this weekend, giving them the advantage of familiarity and the confidence needed. Their crews are well-prepared, and the women’s squad has been developing over recent seasons. With several experienced rowers, the team look set to be strong contenders down this course, where cohesion and local knowledge could prove decisive.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club is another crew familiar with this famous stretch of the Thames, training here week in and week out. Their regular time on these waters gives them a strong sense of the course. With a growing squad, Henley RC will be looking to challenge the favourites and put in some standout performances.
Reading University Boat Club
Their top rowers will likely be away at trials, but this is a club with a strong pedigree of sculling. They dominate almost every sculling event that they enter. They will likely face some competition now, racing rowers older than university age, but I do not doubt that the RUBC program will put on an impressive display this weekend.
Other clubs who have entered crews in several events include Southampton University Boat Club, University College London Boat Club, and Barnes Bridge Ladies Boat Club. The entries are a balanced mix of student and local rowing clubs, so should give a good indication of how the crews in the area are starting the head season.
